You were quite right in ending your Roast of the administration by giving HSU an out, saying, “these are difficult times, and difficult decisions have to be made.” No argument there, but this particular case was a no-brainer, and HSU administrators didn't pass the exam.
HSU has little to lose but much to gain by giving the advisory board a year to make the museum sustainable. At little additional cost to the university (which is keeping the museum open by appointment in order to satisfy grants it accepted last year), the newly formed Friends of the North Coast's NHM might at least be allowed to fail on its own. Instead, the university seems happy to accept the blame for eliminating one of its only examples of outreach to the community. As far as public relations goes, HSU gets an F.
Janet and Arthur Zich
Arcata
Roast
* To Humboldt State University for putting a halt to prospects for the reopening of the Natural History Museum. While the university's budget predicament is unquestioned, it seems like it too readily gave up on the efforts of many in the community -- people who pledged some $75,000 to the museum and had proposed keeping it open with some paid and volunteer staff. At the same time, these are difficult times, and difficult decisions have to be made.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HSU AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM BOARD DISCUSS PLAN TO
The HSU Natural History Museum Advisory Board met with HSU Provost Robert Snyder and
In last night’s meeting, Provost Snyder noted that HSU would not be able to sell or lease the building until at least July 1, 2010, and committed to leaving the exhibits intact at the present time, rather than beginning to dismantle them, significantly extending the time period during which an alternative model for museum operations can be developed. The University also expressed interest in allowing K-12 educators to use the museum for class trips during the current academic year. This would enable curriculum specific to the Natural History Museum, written last year with funds from the McLean Foundation and the Redwood Science Project, to be utilized by area teachers. HSU also agreed to discuss the possibility of the fledgling Friends of the
With respect to the long-term fate of the Museum, HSU plans to form a workgroup composed of representatives of the HSU administration, faculty, K-12 educators, and Museum Board to develop a proposal for the future of the Museum. In parallel, the Board intends to execute plans outlined in their proposal that move toward an independent nonprofit organization running the Museum. These include incorporating, applying for non-profit status, electing a new Board of Directors, and applying for grants and continuing to fund-raise for capital that will secure the long-term viability of the Museum.
For the present, the museum remains closed, but there now appears to be some hope that the Museum will be able to reopen to K-12 educators and the public shortly. In the long term, the Friends of the
ARCATA – Community members wishing to keep the HSU Natural History Museum (NHM) open have garnered half the funds stipulated as necessary for an interim rescue, all from individual donors. With a longer-term plan now in the hands of university officials, NHM supporters are looking forward to establishing a new non-profit organization that can accept corporate donations and foundation grants.
As they await HSU’s response to the proposal – possibly by week’s end – the museum’s friends also hope to maintain both focus and momentum as events unfold.
